Hallam Rd compensation claim

A family-run nursery in Hampton Park is seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation from the state government over changes to Hallam Rd it fears will damage its business.

A family-run nursery in Melbourne’s southeast is seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation from the state government over plans to widen Hallam Rd.

The Hampton Park project is one of the government’s signature suburban road upgrades and includes the ­com­pulsory acquisition of 2352sq m of land outside the Diaco family’s Discount ­Nursery and Garden Rock Supplies.

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Changes to the road will prevent motorists from turning right to enter the business, and the owners are seeking a major payout from the Major Road Projects Authority.

A study commissioned by the business found more than half of the traffic that enters or exits their site does so through a right-hand turn.

Anthony Diaco is battling for compensation over road works on Hallam Rd near the family’s nursery.

Slater and Gordon senior associate Peter Boyle said the business’s annual revenue of more than $4 million could be affected by the project.

“It is foreseeable that it (the compensation claim) could be in the hundreds of thousands,” Mr Boyle said.

“There have to be better ways to design projects so not to leave people stranded with half a property and half a business.”

Anthony Diaco, who manages the business with his dad, Vince, said the nursery served up to 1800 customers a week.

“We are almost certainly expecting to see that number drop once these works are done,” Mr Diaco said.

“If half of our customers have to take an inconvenient detour to reach us, you can only imagine what it will do to our business.

Anthony Diaco says works have severely restricted existing access to his business site.

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“We have approached VicRoads with suggestions as to how our right hand access might be maintained, but they have been unwilling to compromise and have said we will just have to make a claim for compensation.”

MRPA acting program director Brendan Pauwels said negotiations about the upgrades were ongoing.

“The changes we’re making will improve safety at this busy intersection for 40,000 vehicles each day while balancing the needs of the local community,” he said.

“We’re continuing to speak with neighbouring landowners about changes to access and arrangements throughout and after the works.

VicRoads acting acquisitions and compensation manager James Dobeli said: “We understand the acquisition of property can be a challenging experience for those affected.

“We will continue to work with those affected in order to resolve compensation arising from the acquisition.”

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